Giants 101 provides 24/7 obsessive sports coverage of the New York Giants as a part of Sports Media 101. For news,
op/ed, game reviews, team updates and even rumors you will find all of it on Giants 101. Have an opinion - join
the discussion and drop a comment. If it's about the Giants, it's on Giants 101.

A once daily email with the top 5 most important stories from around Sports
Media 101.

Email

News Archives

Can Kyle Bosworth Make a Serious Impact at Linebacker with the New York Giants?

August 27th, 2013 at 6:30 AM By Doug Rush

One of the most distinguished roster cuts the New York Giants made on Sunday was the release of outside linebacker Aaron Curry, as the Giants decided to end the reclamation project of the former first rounder before it really ever began. With Curry's release, it opens the door for Kyle Bosworth, who remained on the team during the team's cuts and is now one of the final six linebackers on the team.

When Bosworth was signed by the Giants in late May, many thought he was just another name brought into training camp to compete for a spot, but would eventually be released before the regular season. Bosworth didn't see it that way. Bosworth might have started at the bottom of the pecking order and depth chart, but he fought and scratched to surpass Curry on the depth chart and ended up getting more playing time in the summer; especially in this past Saturday's 24-21 loss to the New York Jets.

When you look closely at the departure of Curry, it shouldn't come as a surprise considering Bosworth saw 31 snaps on defense and was making plays in the second half against the Jets in pressuring quarterback Mark Sanchez to get rid of the ball a lot sooner than he wanted to; whereas Curry only saw 12 snaps and was barely a factor on defense, which is why Bosworth is safe and in preparation to play the New England Patriots, while Curry is looking for work around the league.

So now, Bosworth is listed as the backup on the depth chart behind Keith Rivers, who is on a one-year deal trying to show the Giants that he can stay healthy after having an injury-filled five seasons to start his career, which lead him to being traded by the Cincinnati Bengals to the Giants in April of 2012. If Rivers can't stay healthy, Bosworth could end up seeing time as a starter and if he looks anything like the guy that was in full attack mode against the Jets, he could make a strong impact.

Before coming to the Giants, Bosworth spent two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and got to start in five games in place of long-time veteran Daryl Smith in 2012, as he accumulated for 27 total tackles and one interception on defense. On the Jaguars, Bosworth played in all 16 games last season, but most of his time was spent on special teams.

Aside from trying to see time as a reserve and maybe even starting linebacker, Bosworth's value could also be on the Giants special teams units (units that at times have struggled in the past), which is where he could see opportunities to play on kickoff and punt teams and make impactful tackles down the field, which is why he may have ended up being able to stay on the team over Curry; as Curry wasn't used on any of the special teams units.

For now, Bosworth's focus will be getting more snaps and playing time against the Patriots on Thursday night and then trying to make the final 53-man roster. which at this point, he should since the team is down to six linebackers after the roster cuts made this weekend and could see a chance to have a bigger role on the Giants as he continues to impress during the summer.

agreed if anything, the fact Bosworth has stuck this long is an overall indictment of the way JR and the Giants brass has treated the LB position since 2002 and especially this season. Perry Fewell, to the extent he can actually coordinate, will spend the entire season trying to cover up the LB corps. The Dime, the Nickel, the Big Nickel, The Indian Head Nickel, the Buffalo on the Mound Nickel — anything to get the “real” (if I can use that word) linebackers off the field

DOUG: THANKS, I saw this 6’1 245lb kid trying to move forward, and his speed off the snap is fast, and he was looking to make that hit on the QB. Sean Lee, MLB, Dallas, is doing a good job there and though as already said, our backers are, really to be nice average. Williams is really the only other “fast” backer and the rest look like there in “slow motion”, so yeah, if Bosworth can get some big plays, coaches are looking for ANYONE out of that group to do something, why not this kid. One would suspect Reese & company are looking around, {I hope} for another LB who might just make three quicker, hard hitting LB’s to make some kind of contribution? CT GIANT

JR is looking for a former college star, preferably previously injured (the more serious the better), who has washed out with at least 2 teams (again 3 would be better), who he can pay the vet minimum to, and call it progress

I actually really like Bosworth. I still think Keith Rivers will play ahead of him, but Bosworth has a chance to see some playing time — especially if he does well on Thursday and other guys don’t do anything to improve their stock. Our linebacking corps. is still pretty bad, but every now and then teams find diamonds in the rough. It’s better than sticking washed up people like Curry out there.

If Rivers goes down at SLB, I feel like Herzlich or Connor will take over that spot, whoever isn’t in the middle. Even if Herz is in the middle somehow he would probably get moved outside. That’s where he really belongs anyways.